Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd., Suite 1, Schuylerville, NY 12871
For inquiries related to honoring veterans and military honors at the Saratoga National Cemetery, please call 518.581.9128 ext 209 or email info@snchga.org.
About Us
What We Do
What We Do
The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard Association is a locally-based all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing military funeral honors as an official support committee for the Saratoga National Cemetery, as designated by the Veterans Administration. Our veteran volunteer servicemen and women represent all branches of the Armed Forces. We operate as a tax-exempt, 501(c)(19) nonprofit corporation, existing exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to advocate for, preserve, and support the Saratoga National Cemetery in Saratoga County on behalf of the veterans of the Armed Services of the United States of America. Our efforts in providing veteran services are made possible through private donations and grants.
What We Do
What We Do
What We Do
We perform military funeral honors for honorably discharged veterans at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, New York. These honors include three volleys of rifle fire, the playing of taps, the folding and presentation of the American flag, the presentation of three spent rifle casings, and the final salute.
Our Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard is called upon throughout the year to protect, carry, and handle 'the colors,' which represents the Flag, during ceremonies dedicated to individuals, including events, parades, memorial services, and changes of command. The Color Guard also carries rifles, symbolizing the protection of the nation while providing essential veteran services.
The Traditions of Military Funeral Honors
What to Expect at the Service
Military Funeral Honors (MFH) is a tradition that is vital to the foundation and fabric of our nation, so much so that our Federal Government has enacted laws to ensure the honoring of our deceased Veterans. The Department of Defense is legally obliged, upon family request, to provide every eligible Veteran with a final tribute at no cost to the family. All military funeral honors ceremonies performed at the Saratoga National Cemetery are coordinated between local Funeral Directors and Cemetery staff.
At the Saratoga National Cemetery, military funeral honors take place at one of the two Committal Shelters, as directed by the Cemetery staff. The honors are typically rendered by Active Duty military representatives from the deceased Veteran’s military affiliation, supported by the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard. If Active Duty representatives are unavailable, the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard will conduct the MFH ceremony.
Military Funeral Honors
A. Arrival of Funeral Party
The Funeral Party will assemble at the Visitor Center near the Cemetery entrance and follow directions from the Cemetery representative and Funeral Director. The Cemetery representative will lead the hearse or vehicle containing the deceased Veteran’s remains through the Cemetery grounds to the designated Committal Shelter.
Active Duty or Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard personnel will be standing at curbside awaiting the arrival of the deceased Veteran and Funeral Party. The MFH personnel will either follow the American Flag-draped casket escorted by pallbearers to the Shelter or carry the cremains and the folded American Flag to the Shelter.
The Rifle Detail will march to the designated Firing Line as the Funeral Party approaches and remains in place while the Funeral Party walks to the Committal Shelter.
The Bugler steps to the designated location as the Funeral Party approaches and remains in place while the Funeral Party walks to the Committal Shelter.
B. Committal Shelter
Each Shelter seats approximately 18 attendees, with one seat in front designated for Next of Kin, who will receive the American Flag and rifle cartridges. The casket or urn is placed at the front of the Shelter, with either Active Duty or Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard personnel standing vigil on each side.
The Active Duty and Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard personnel wait for all attendees to arrive at the Shelter.
C. Rendering Military Funeral Honors
Once the attendees are assembled in and around the Shelter, the MFH Detail Leader initiates Military Funeral Honors, which includes the following procedures:
• Introduction of MFH
• Three Rifle Volleys
• The playing of Taps
• Folding and presentation of the American Flag
• Presentation of 3 spent rifle casings
• Retire the Military Service Flag of the deceased Veteran
• The Final Salute
D. Rifle Detail
Upon command to initiate Military Funeral Honors, the Rifle Detail fires three rounds, which can be quite loud. The Detail then goes to the position of Present Arms, awaiting the playing of Taps.
E. Taps
Following the three rifle volleys, the Bugler plays Taps. During the playing of Taps, the Funeral Party is invited to stand, if able, and civilians are requested to place their hand over their heart, while Active Duty members and Veterans are invited to salute.
F. Folding and Presentation of the American Flag
Following Taps, Active Duty or Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard personnel will formally fold the American Flag and present the folded Flag to the Next of Kin or designated recipient.
G. Presentation of 3 Spent Rifle Casings
The SNC Honor Guard representative will present three rifle casings in memory of the three rifle volleys fired in honor of the deceased Veteran’s service to our Nation. The three casings represent Duty, Honor, and Valor.
H. The Final Salute
The SNC Honor Guard retires the Military Service Flag, and the Honor Guard Leader steps to the center of the Shelter, directly in front of the casket or urn, and renders a Final Salute to the deceased Veteran. The Honor Guard Leader then steps away to the rear of the Shelter, concluding Military Funeral Honors.
As the Military Service Flag is retired, the Rifle Detail and Bugler march in formation to the rear of the Shelter.
Following Military Funeral Honors, religious, funeral home, and family representatives will typically conduct services and offer comments. The Cemetery representative will then request the Funeral Party to return to their vehicles and depart as veteran services are scheduled every thirty minutes depending on the day’s schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Like all time-honored traditions, the rendering of Military Funeral Honors at the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard incorporates some customs and traditions that you may find interesting. Here are some of the most commonly-asked questions regarding veteran services and Military Funeral Honors:
Should I Salute and When?
If you’re currently in military duty status or a Veteran, you’re invited to stand and salute:
• When the Flag-draped casket, whether in a hearse or transported on a cart, passes in front of you
• During the playing of Taps
Civilians are invited to stand, remove your hat, and place your hand over your heart:
• When the Flag-draped casket, whether in a hearse or transported on a cart, passes in front of you
• During the playing of Taps
What Should I Wear?
Military service members are encouraged to wear their service dress uniform. Civilians are requested to wear clothing appropriate for a formal occasion and comfortable for the seasonal conditions, realizing that the rendering of Military Funeral Honors is conducted outdoors.
How long does Military Funeral Honors and the following services last?
Anticipate 20-30 minutes from arrival at the Committal Shelter to completion of Military Funeral Honors and the following religious, funeral home, and/or family services.
Can I Bring Children?
There are no restrictions regarding children attending Military Funeral Honors, and in fact, they are encouraged to attend to observe our Nation’s final military tribute to their loved one. The Funeral Home Director can offer guidance on proper decorum, and parents should remind their children to be respectful. Please keep in mind the rifle volleys are quite loud, so parents may want to cover their youngster’s ears during the three rifle volleys.
Should I Turn Off My Phone?
Absolutely. Phones should be in vibrate or silent mode. Audible notifications and ringtones are highly disturbing and disrespectful during this solemn event. Unless specially requested or allowed by the family, do not record the service or take photos until the ceremony is complete and the Next of Kin has received the folded American Flag.
Can I Bring Flowers?
Please check with the Funeral Party Funeral Director, or if not available, the Cemetery representative when assembling at the Visitor’s Center prior to proceeding to the Committal Shelter.
About Veteran Honor Guard Services
Three Volleys of Rifle Fire
At military funerals, one often sees three volleys of shots fired in honor of the deceased veteran. This is commonly misunderstood by laymen as a 21-gun salute, although it differs significantly. In military terminology, a 'gun' refers to a large-caliber weapon, while the three volleys are fired from 'rifles,' not 'guns.'
At the Saratoga National Cemetery, all military funeral honors include a 3-volley salute. The Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard typically consists of a team of seven members, each firing three shots—thus the association with the '21-Gun Salute.'
The tradition of firing three volleys originates from an old battlefield custom. In past conflicts, the two opposing sides would temporarily cease hostilities to recover their dead, and the firing of three volleys indicated that the fallen had been properly cared for and that the side was ready to resume the battle.
Playing Of Taps
The origins of “Taps,” the distinctive bugle melody played at U.S. military funerals and memorials, as well as a lights-out signal to soldiers at night, can be traced back to the American Civil War. In July 1862, U.S. General Daniel Butterfield and his brigade were camped at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, recuperating after the Seven Days Battles near Richmond. Dissatisfied with the standard bugle call employed by the Army to signal it was time for military funeral honors, Butterfield felt the call should sound more melodious. He reworked an existing bugle call used to signal the end of the day. After he had his brigade bugler, Private Oliver Wilcox Norton, play it for the men, buglers from other units became interested in the 24-note tune, and it quickly spread throughout the Army, even catching on with the Confederates.
Not long after Butterfield created “Taps,” it was played for the first time at a military funeral for a Union cannoneer killed in action. The man’s commanding officer, Captain John Tidball, decided that the bugle call would be safer than the traditional firing of three rifle volleys over the soldier’s grave, which could be misconstrued by the nearby enemy as an attack. As for the name “Taps,” the most likely explanation is that it derives from the fact that prior to Butterfield’s bugle call, the lights-out call was followed by three drum beats, dubbed the “Drum Taps,” as well as “The Taps” and then simply “Taps.” When Butterfield’s call replaced the drum beats, soldiers referred to it as “Taps,” although this was an unofficial moniker, according to “Taps” historian and bugle expert Jari Villanueva. He notes that Butterfield’s bugle call was officially known as “Extinguish Lights” in American military manuals until 1891. Since that time, “Taps” has also been a formally recognized part of U.S. military funerals, including those conducted by the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard, which emphasizes the importance of veteran services.
Every Honor Guard Squad has a dedicated bugler who performs the melody.
13 Folds of the flag
At the Saratoga National Cemetery, either Active Duty personnel or the Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard pay meticulous attention to folding the American flag that once draped the casket during military funeral honors. If the ceremony involves an urn, the flag is first unfolded and then meticulously folded. The guards make crisp, precise folds a total of 13 times to complete the ceremony. Each of these 13 folds holds special significance, much like every other aspect of our nation’s greatest symbol.
Flag etiquette dictates that every time an American flag is to be stored or presented during a ceremony, its handlers should fold it in half twice lengthwise; starting with the end opposite the blue field, they then create a taut triangular fold. Handlers continue to fold the flag in triangles until it forms a triangular “pillow” with the blue field showing on the outside. This dignified method of treating the flag adds a powerful touch to patriotic ceremonies and veteran services.
The 13-fold procedure was common long before the more modern assigned meanings. The source and date of origin of these meanings are unknown, but for those who participate in or witness a formal flag folding ceremony—whether on Flag Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Veterans Day, or at a military funeral—the 13 meanings can create an uplifting experience.
The first fold of our flag symbolizes life.
The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and tribute to the veteran departing our ranks, who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for divine guidance.
The fifth fold acknowledges our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold represents where our hearts lie. It is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold pays tribute to our armed forces, as they protect our country and flag against all enemies.
The eighth fold honors those who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, enabling us to see the light of day, and also pays tribute to our mothers, for whom the flag flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, as their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion have shaped the character of those who have made this country great.
The 10th fold pays tribute to fathers, who have also given their sons and daughters for the defense of our country since the first-born.
The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, glorifying the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, places the stars uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”